Tuesday, April 28, 2009

How Specter's Defection Could Make It Harder to Confirm Pres. Obama's Judicial Nominations

Does Arlen Specter's defection from R to D strengthen the President's hand in Congress? Perhaps overall but not on judicial appointments because breaking (the equivalent of) a filibuster in the Senate Judiciary Committee requires the consent of at least one member of the minority. Before today, Specter was likely to be that one Republican. Now what?

164 comments:

It also potentially leaves Jeff Sessions as the ranking minority member. Sessions was the Senator most likely to oppose Clinton judicial nominees, even at the district court level, and ask invasive personal questions. He also vehemently opposed current nominee Judge Lynch's nomination to SDNY.

If the Republicans--and the ones on the Judiciary Committe are the worst of the worst of the ideologues--become impossibly obstreporous and obstructionist with regard to a Supreme Court nominee, here's a possible solution. Just as Specter declared himself a Democrat, leaving only hardliners on the Republican side of the aisle, couldn't one or two Democrats on the Committee (for example, Russ Feingold and Ron Wyden, both of whom seem to have broad bipartisan support), declare themselves "Republicans"? They will caucus and vote with progressive Democrats on all issues, while providing the Judiciary Committee with what they need in the way of votes from the Republican side of the aisle. They can go back to being Democrats before the election.

Of course this will wreak total havoc with the two party system, especially the Republican party, but it is in shambles anyway? Could this work as the Democratic "nuclear option"?

profmcohen said: "worst of the worst of the ideologues--become impossibly obstreporous and obstructionist with regard to a Supreme Court nominee"

You mean, like the Democrats were for the last 8 years? Your idea would not only be a travesty to the political system, but would also be spitting in the face of the 'people' for home they are supposed to serve.

You mean, like the Democrats were for the last 8 years? Your idea would not only be a travesty to the political system, but would also be spitting in the face of the 'people' for home they are supposed to serveالاندرويد

You mean, like the Democrats were for the last 8 years? Your idea would not only be a travesty to the political system, but would also be spitting in the face of the 'people' for home they are supposed to serve

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obstreporous and obstructionist with regard to a Supreme Court nominee, here's a possible solution. Just as Specter declared Funny Videos For Kids himself a Democrat, leaving only hardliners on the Republican side of the aisle, couldn't one or two Democrats on the Committee (for example, Russ Feingold and Ron Wyden, both of whom seem to have broad bipartisan support), declare themselves "Republicans"?